Despite having been in his eighties and his physical and mental health having been shattered by four strokes by the time of his retirement, Winston Churchill held on to the prime ministership as long as possible.

When he finally stepped down in April 1955 it was in favour of his foreign secretary, Sir Anthony Eden.

Eden was popular and suited the public mood, although his public persona hid a deeply neurotic personality.

But his telegenic looks and gentlemanly manner suited a nation quietly on the up.

Food rationing had ended and public optimism was also lifted by the coronation of a young Queen.

Fears of an imminent third world war had been pushed back with the death of Stalin and the end of the Korean War, both in 1953.

With Churchill’s decision to stand down the decks were clear for an election -
with the economy beginning to look shaky the Tories decided to chance their arm before a possible downturn.